Surfaces of Constant Mean Curvature Bounded by Two Planar Curves

In this paper we study constant mean curvature compact surfaces with two Jordan curves in parallel planes as boundary and we investigate the point at which the surface inherits the symmetries of its boundary.     

Determination of lithium in wines by atomic absorption spectrometry

Lithium (10–150 ng ml^?1) in wine is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry by direct nebulization and after digestion with mixed acids. The results of methods are similar. Thirty-four wines from various Spanish provinces are analysed.     

Time Delay and Short-Range Scattering in Quantum Waveguides

Although many physical arguments account for using a modified definition of time delay in multichannel-type scattering processes, one can hardly find rigorous results on that issue in the literature. We try to fill in this gap by showing, both in an abstract setting and in a short-range case, the identity of the modified time delay and the Eisenbud-Wigner time delay in waveguides. In the short-range case we also obtain limiting absorption principles, state spectral properties of the total Hamiltonian, prove the existence of the wave operators and show an explicit formula for the S-matrix. The proofs rely on stationary and commutator methods. Communicated by Yosi Avron submitted 12/04/05, accepted 13/05/05     

The twist coefficient of periodic solutions of a time-dependent Newton's equation

This paper gives sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions of twist type of a time-dependent differential equation of the second order. The concept of periodic solution of twist type is defined in terms of the corresponding Birkhoff normal form and, in particular, implies that the solution is Lyapunov stable. Some applications to nonlocal problems are given.     

Branch and win: OR tree search algorithms for solving combinatorial optimisation problems

Currently, most combinatorial optimisation problems have to be solved, if the optimum solution is sought, using general techniques to explore the space of feasible solutions and, more specifically, through exploratory enumerative procedures in trees and search graphs. We propose Branch and Win, a general formulation for understanding and synthesising the different tree search procedures that have been presented in the literature of operations research as well as in that of artificial intelligence. Several general ideas are also presented, whose application allows designing new hybrid search algorithms, in order to implement the procedure.     

Influence of the loading path on the strength of fiber-reinforced composites subjected to transverse compression and shear

The influence of the loading path on the failure locus of a composite lamina subjected to transverse compression and out-of-plane shear is analyzed through computational micromechanics. This is carried out using the finite element simulation of a representative volume element of the microstructure, which takes into account explicitly fiber and matrix spatial distribution within the lamina. In addition, the actual failure mechanisms (plastic deformation of the matrix and interface decohesion) are included in the simulations through the corresponding constitutive models. Two different interface strength values were chosen to explore the limiting cases of composites with strong or weak interfaces. It was found that failure locus was independent of the loading path for the three cases analyzed (pseudo-radial, compression followed by shear and shear followed by compression) in the composites with strong and weak interfaces. This result was attributed to the fact that the dominant failure mechanism in each material was the same in transverse compression and in shear. Failure is also controlled by the same mechanisms under a combination of both stresses and the failure locus depended mainly on the magnitude of the stresses that trigger fracture rather than in the loading path to reach the critical condition.